Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog in Italy with heart and brain damage from Angiostrongylus
By Lepri, Elvio et al.·Published in Parasitology research·2011·Department of Biopathological Science and Hygiene of Animal and Food Productions Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Disseminated angiostrongylosis with massive cardiac and cerebral involvement in a dog from Italy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog in Italy was brought to the vet for severe breathing problems and seizures. Tests showed that the dog had a serious infection caused by a type of lungworm called Angiostrongylus vasorum, which led to pneumonia and heart issues. The vet found many larvae in the dog's lungs, confirming the diagnosis. Treatment focused on addressing the lungworm infection and managing the heart and brain complications. The dog received appropriate care for these serious conditions, which is crucial for recovery.
People also search for: dog seizures and breathing problems · lungworm infection in dogs · treatment for dog pneumonia and heart failure
Abstract
A case of disseminated angiostrongylosis caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum in a dog living in Italy is here described. The dog was referred for severe respiratory distress and epileptic seizures; clinicopathological findings were consistent with severe pneumonia associated with right-sided heart failure and multifocal involvement of the brain. Bronchoalveolar fluid analysis identified a multitude of nematode larvae, identified as A. vasorum by conventional and biomolecular (PCR) methods. The major anatomo-histopathological lesions were chronic granulomatous pneumonia, a severe multifocal granulomatous myocarditis and multifocal mild vascular and inflammatory disease in the brain. A. vasorum should be included among the differentials of dogs with cardiovascular and neurologic disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21347519/